No turning back on the ASYCUDA... The government calls on traders to accept the new reality
The Iraqi government called on Sunday (February 15, 2026) for those objecting to the implementation of the ASYCUDA system and customs tariffs to accept the new reality and comply with the law. Speaking on behalf of the government, spokesperson Bassem Al-Awadi explained that this system, which is implemented in more than 100 countries, will be applied in Iraq under international and UN supervision. He added that part of the ASYCUDA implementation is linked to Iraq's international obligations in the areas of combating money laundering, currency and goods smuggling, and international trade. He further stated that after 2003, Iraq relied on a process he termed "arbitrary" in managing customs and taxes, and that the time has come to change this process.
Al-Awadi stated in an interview with the official channel, which was followed by 964 Network , that “during the past few days with the beginnings of the implementation of the ASYCUDA system, there was some delay in the ports and many goods were delayed. According to the government’s estimates, some of them were delayed normally and others were delayed abnormally. When the government implemented the ASYCUDA system, this does not mean that there is a problem between it and the traders, but this step is an organizational process.”
Al-Awadi added, “In order to facilitate the movement of goods and make things easier for the private sector and Iraqi traders, the Iraqi government decided to zero out the government’s percentage of goods in warehouses - these warehouses are a joint facility between the ports and maritime transport, and also in cooperation with the private sector - so the government’s fees were zeroed out, and also 50% of the fees of the investing partner were zeroed out.”
Al-Awadi pointed out that “in light of the recent atmosphere that we all experienced, and the many rumors that try to make the government and the Iraqi state in general seem like something poised to harm the private sector or harm the people, and this is something that does not exist,” indicating that “the private sector and the merchant class are witnesses to the level of interaction that the government has undertaken, and in the end, only the truth will prevail.”
Al-Awadi pointed out that “trade from 2003 until today, especially with regard to taxes and customs, was more like arbitrariness. In simple terms, things were done in the form of a small container with 3 million and a large container with 4 million, regardless of what was inside the container. This was an old method that was imposed by the reality of the change after 2003, and it continued due to the repercussions and recent events.”
Al-Awadi stressed that “the ASYCUDA system is a United Nations system and was not brought by the Iraqi government. It is implemented in 102 countries around the world and is linked to the United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCTAD). Part of the implementation of ASYCUDA is linked to Iraq’s international obligations in the areas of combating money laundering, smuggling of currency and goods, and international trade.”
The government spokesman stressed that “this system is not targeting a specific class, and the rumors that speak of a lack of liquidity in the Iraqi state and that is why it went towards this system are untrue. All of this is incorrect, because the process of trade, accounting and customs since 2003 was an arbitrary emergency process, and in the end, now this year or next year or after 3 years, everyone knows that these temporary matters must end and we must move towards the right things.”
Al-Awadi explained that “this new system (ASYCUDA) has been implemented, and we do not have (Quranic texts nor angels). It is an electronic automation system, operated by Iraqi teams under international and UN supervision.” He pointed out that “over time and after implementation, if there is any kind of injustice that may befall an economic class, group, or a specific type of goods, there are unions and federations of the Iraqi private sector and spokespeople for them, and the door of the Prime Minister and the Iraqi government is open to them, and it is possible to address any injustice that may affect merchants or other classes.” link